From Saudi exile, Yemen's VP calls on Shiite rebels to halt their advance on port city of Aden

Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, chant slogans during a demonstration against an arms embargo imposed by the U.N. Security Council on Houthi leaders, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, April 16, 2015. Al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen seized Thursday control of a major airport and sea port and oil terminal in southern Yemen, consolidating their hold of the country’s largest province amid wider chaos that is pitting Shiite rebels against forces loyal to the country’s exiled president and a Saudi-led air campaign. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
(The Associated Press)

The shadow of Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, are cast on a large representation of the Yemeni flag as they attend a demonstration against an arms embargo imposed by the U.N. Security Council on Houthi leaders, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, April 16, 2015. Al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen seized Thursday control of a major airport and sea port and oil terminal in southern Yemen, consolidating their hold of the country’s largest province amid wider chaos that is pitting Shiite rebels against forces loyal to the country’s exiled president and a Saudi-led air campaign.(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
(The Associated Press)

A Shiite rebel, known as a Houthi, chews qat leaves, an amphetamine-like stimulant, as he guards a near the site of a demonstration against an arms embargo imposed by the U.N. Security Council on Houthi leaders, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, April 16, 2015. Al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen seized Thursday control of a major airport and sea port and oil terminal in southern Yemen, consolidating their hold of the country’s largest province amid wider chaos that is pitting Shiite rebels against forces loyal to the country’s exiled president and a Saudi-led air campaign.(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
(The Associated Press)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Yemen's vice president has called for an end to the conflict in his war-torn country, urging Shiite rebels and allied forces to halt their offensive on the southern port city of Aden.

Khaled Bahah says this would be a good-will gesture that could open the door to peace initiatives.

Ground fighting has been fiercest in Aden where rebels known as Houthis and allied military units are trying to take control of the city.

Bahah spoke Thursday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where he and President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi have been based after the government collapsed in the face of the rebel power grab.

As the rebels attacked Aden, Hadi fled. A Saudi-led coalition launched a campaign of airstrikes targeting the rebels.